Egypt’s Islamists To Play Key Role In Constitution

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament has overwhelmingly voted in favor of ensuring that its own lawmakers will comprise the bulk of a panel that will write the country’s constitution.

Lawmakers Saturday voted on the criteria for the makeup of a 100-member panel drafting the document. The Islamists, who dominate the parliament, want a formidable presence on the panel to ensure a strong voice in the process.

Many Christian and liberal lawmakers are wary of Islamists taking too prominent a role.

In the end, lawmakers voted that 50 members of the 100-member panel drafting the first constitution after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak must come from the parliament.

The remaining 50 will be legal experts, academics and religious scholars.